Russian Metropolitan touches on elections of new Pope

In an interview with the Rossiya-24 TV channel broadcast on Monday, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s department for external church relations, dwelled on the process of electing the new Pope.

According to him, each of the ten Cardinals has ‘real chances’ of becoming the new pontiff, including Gianfranco Ravasi, Angelo Scola and Angelo Bagnasco of Italy, as well as Hungary’s Peter Erde and Christoph Schoenbern of Austria.

Additionally, Metropolitan Hilarion mentioned Cardinals from the United States, Canada and Argentina, who he said may also be elected.

The conclave to this effect is expected to take place in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican next week.